We Are Outward Bound
Our team consists of nature lovers, experts with a vision of what contemporary education should entail, and optimists who believe that a change for the better is possible. The enthusiasm and perseverance of our staff are our driving force.
Permanent Staff
Lovorka Šimunec Vlahovich
President of the Association and Director of Outward Bound pustolovina j.d.o.o.President and co-founder of Outward Bound Croatia. Graduated in philosophy and religious studies and completed a postgraduate specialist program in business marketing. Manages our education center in Veliki Žitnik and strategic projects.
Iva Balent
Vice President of the Association and Head of Sales and MarketingOur member brings extensive experience in marketing within the tech industry — from M SAN Group, through Samsung, to her role as Retail Marketing Manager at Xiaomi Technology. She was previously part of our advisory board, but her desire to contribute more actively led her to join the OB marketing team, and eventually take on the role of Vice President of the Association.
Ozren Pleše
Secretary of the AssociationOne of the co-founders of the organization, who previously served as Vice President and was an active instructor, now holds the position of Secretary. His specialty is GIS mapping, and he has extensive experience in organizing outdoor programs and leading groups.
Domagoj Keber
Head of Programs and Instructor TrainingDomagoj Keber is a long-standing instructor who volunteered on his first programs in 2018, and by 2019 he had completed his instructor training. He is known for his warm, playful approach and clarity in guidance, and participants remember him for the support and inspiration he brings to every program. Since 2025, he has taken on the role of Program Leader, where he combines expertise and experience with care for the development of participants, instructors, and the community.
Lana Jošt
Head of the Projects DepartmentSince 2013, she has been preparing, writing, and implementing EU, national, and local projects. To date, she has developed over 100 project proposals. She served as Vice President of the Association for 12 years. A biologist by profession, she has specialized in implementing Erasmus+ programs and European Solidarity Corps volunteering projects.
Instructors and Logistics (Field Staff)
Veronika Idžojtić
Azra Mehmedović
Neven Škorić
Bojan Kukuljan
Vilim Szabo
Mateja Hrebak
Matea Zatezalo
Maja Oltran
Karmen Preskar
Dubravko Kezić Duc
Ana Penić
Kristina Perić
Matija Malinović
Vedran Ferenčak
Čedo Josipović
Marija Mažić
Oliver Linzbauer
Safety Board
Borna Juraj Jelić
President of the Safety BoardA long-time Outward Bound instructor, he began his OB journey as a participant and transitioned into the role of instructor at a young age. He has worked in Croatia, the USA, and across Europe, leading numerous training sessions for new and active instructors. As a climbing specialist, he ensures the quality and safety of the programs. For him, Outward Bound is not just a job, but a way of life — a chance to shape young lives through nature and challenge, while passing on the true and positive spirit of OB.
Vladimir Dado Mesarić
Member of the Safety BoardAn international mountain and alpine guide, HGSS instructor, and a legend of Croatian alpinism. He was part of the 1979 expedition that made a first ascent of the West Ridge of Mt. Everest. He established the majority of the organization’s programmatic and safety procedures.
Neven Kalac
Member of the Safety BoardOur newest member of the Safety Board is an experienced guide of hiking, climbing, caving, biking, and kayak tours, and team buildings around Croatia. In his free time, you will probably find him on the sea – sailing, swimming, or sea kayaking.
Petra Kejla
Member of the Safety BoardAfter years of fieldwork as an emergency medicine doctor, she completed an alpinism course, and up to today, she takes part as a doctor and lecturer alpinism, hiking, and mountaineering courses.
Board of Trustees
Damir Begović
President of the BoardA consultant of the Elka management, up tho recently the director of Elka, has more than 40 years of professional experience – from INA-Inženjering, to INA-Projekt, Elektroprojekt d.d., HEP, Ingra d.d., and Elka.
Stanimir Vuk-Pavlović
Member of the BoardCo-founder of OBC who, moved by the post-war problems of our society, noticed the need for this type of youth work in Croatia. He has lived and worked as a scientist in Rochester, Minnesota, for more than 35 years.
Lucijan Koržinek
Member of the BoardCivil engineer, an exceptional professional with numerous successfully realized construction projects in his portfolio. He has been an athlete from a young age – skier and ski-instructor, hokey and water polo player, swimmer but his most remarkable success was in judo.
Roman Danko
Member of the BoardA sociologist with professional experience in the non-profit, for-profit, and public sectors. Co-founder and director of the company CO2cut and manager of the social cooperative Humana Nova Zagreb. Apart from extensive experience in news reporting, Roman is also enthusiastic about sailing.
Miroslav Huzjak
Member of the BoardAfter many years as a manager, Miroslav is now the chairman of the board of M San Grupa d.o.o. As an active sport climber and alpinist, from the seven summits, he already conquered four – Mt. McKinley, Elbrus, Kilimanjaro, and Aconcagua.
European Solidarity Corps Volunteers
Noah
VolunteerNoah participated in European solidarity corps volunteering camp in 2021. in our educational centre in Veliki Žitnik. After completing his bachelor’s degree in Sustainability Science and his master's degree in journalism, he decided to return as a volunteer. He has lived in the Netherlands, the United States, and Denmark, and is now eager to explore the landscapes of Croatia. In the Netherlands, he worked as a high school guest teacher and a university lecturer in Sustainability Science. Having experienced first-hand how inspiring, informative and energizing working with Outward Bound can be, he is now excited to contribute to the community, facilitate more experiential learning programs, and embrace life as an Outward Bound volunteer.
Gvantsa
VolunteerGvantsa from Georgia, a European Solidarity Corps volunteer, has been volunteering with our organization for six months and is already an experienced member of our team. She previously volunteered with the European Solidarity Corps volunteering team and also participated in an Erasmus+ youth exchange at our educational center in 2025.
Gvantsa assists in all aspects of our educational center's work, with a focus on working with children and young people, as well as supporting the local community.
Join Our Team
If there are currently no open vacancies, feel free to send us an open application for volunteering or employment!Contact us!